R&D budget was expected to be. The results are shown in
the Chart with an overall average of $113,144,000. The
overall average increase in the respondents’ R&D budget was
about 3.5%

The future

While the expected R&D budget for 2017 was significantly
larger than that created for 2016 by about 30%, the absolute
values reveal significant growth and confidence in future
R&D development.

There are, however, issues even with this large a budget
(and possible increase). The biggest issue, as chosen by the
survey respondents, was a concern over insufficient R&D
funding for meeting the organization’s R&D goals—this item
being selected by nearly half of all the survey respondents.

Increasing R&D costs, as identified above, was also selected
by nearly half of the survey respondents. It is obvious that
the financial aspects of an R&D operation are clearly the
largest concern by the lab occupants.

Another aspect involved in operating the lab of the future
was asked in our survey in how do researchers expect to develop new technologies over the next five years. Overwhelmingly, the researchers queried stated that they would do well
by developing these new technologies in house.

What is the change in2017 R&D from 2016?

No change 32%

Increase 1% to 2% 14%

Increase 2% to 3% 8%

Increase 4% to 5% 8%

Increase 5% to 10% 7%

Increase less than 1% 6%

Increase 3% to 4% 4%

Decrease 2% to 3% 4%

Increase 10% to 15% 3%

Decrease 5% to 10% 3%

Decrease more than 10% 3%

Increase more than 20% 2%

Decrease less than 1% 2%

Decrease 4% to 5% 2%

Increase 15% to 20% 1%

Decrease 1% to 2% 1%

Decrease 3% to 4% 1%

What issues do you have withyour 2017 R&D budget?

Increasing costs 47%

Insufficient R&D for goals 46%

Aging infrastructure 34%

Increasing regulations 32%

Insufficient staff for goals 31%

Insufficient time for goals 26%

Increasing technologies 22%

Pressure from dom competitorPressure from for competitorShortage of instrumentationSlowing market growthShortages of materialsNo significant concerns